The Demographics of Aging: Impacts on Transportation and Mobility

"The Demographics of Aging: Impacts
on Transportation and Mobility"

Joe Coughlin, Director, MIT AgeLab
[Burack Distinguished Lecture Series]
Wednesday, 2/24/10 - 4:00 pm - John Dewey Lounge, Old Mill

In his lecture, Dr. Coughlin will address issues faced by policymakers, transportation officials, vehicle manufacturers, health and human services professionals, and aging adults themselves, as the baby boomers--7 million people born between 1946 and 1964--place new demands on the transportation sector.

Joesph Coughlin is Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab. He is a well-known authority on the concerns that older adults will face in the coming decades, in particular, the challenges and conflicts concerning transportation. Dr. Coughlin examines questions which face our aging population such as whether to use public transportation, how to understand the new technology, and simply how to continue to drive safely. More information about Joseph Coughlin and the AgeLab: VIDEO: MIT AgeLab & Joe Coughlin Profiled on Fox News WEBSITE: Dr. Coughlin's Website SHORT BIO: Joseph F. Coughlin, Ph.D. is Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab. He is one of Fast Company Magazine's '100 Most Creative People in Business' and was named by the Wall Street Journal as one of "12 pioneers inventing the future of aging and how we will all live, work and play tomorrow." His research seeks to understand how demographic and social trends, human behavior and technology converge to drive future innovations in business and government. Dr. Coughlin is the 2008 recipient of one of the Gerontological Society of America's highest honors - the Maxwell A. Pollack Award for Productive Aging for demonstrated excellence in translating research into practical application improving the lives of older people. Based in MIT's Engineering Systems Division, Dr. Coughlin teaches graduate classes in policy and systems innovation offered in both MIT's School of Engineering and Harvard Medical School. He consults on product design, policy development and market strategy to governments, financial services, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, foods, automobile, retailers, IT, travel, and health firms worldwide. (Complete biography here.)

TRC seminars address a variety of topics involving sustainable transportation systems and they are free and open to the public. Please join us if you can. Contact Richard Watts if you would like information about registering for smaller, invitation-only round-table discussions.